Paralyzed Marine getting control in smart home

Wounded Marine getting a smart home
Gadsden Times
BY JOHN DAVIDSON
February 26, 2014

In this Feb. 25, 2014 photo, Jacksonville High School students attend the groundbreaking of a ìSmart Homeî for retired U.S. Marine Sgt. Ben Tomlinson, in Jacksonville, Ala. Tomlinson was shot in the back, leaving him paralyzed him from the chest down. The construction of the home is a joint project involving various charities.
(AP Photo/The Gadsden Times, Eric T. Wright)

JACKSONVILLE, Ala. -- The next steps toward helping a wounded U.S. Marine become independent happened as organizers from various charities broke ground at the site of his future home.

Retired Sgt. Ben Tomlinson of Jacksonville served in the Marines in the 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion in Camp Lejeune, N.C., and deployed twice to the Helmand Province, the center of the Taliban insurgency and opium trade in Afghanistan. He was shot in the back, leaving him paralyzed him from the chest down.

His home will be a "smart home," meaning nearly every facet of the house will be able to accommodate Tomlinson. The cabinets and counter tops raise and lower and the hallways are much wider to accommodate his wheelchair.

The air conditioning, heating and lighting also can be customized, and all of the adjustable functions can be controlled through an iPad or iPhone.
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